1 . Cassandra Feeley finds it hard to manage on her husband’s income. So this year she did something more than a hobby: She planted vegetables in her yard. For her first garden, Ms. Feeley has put in 15 tomato plants, and five rows of a variety of vegetables. The family’s old farm house has become a chicken house, its residents arriving next month. Last year, Ms. Rita Gartin kept a small garden. This year she has made it much larger because, she said, “The cost of everything is going up and I was looking to lose a few pounds, too; so it’s a win-win situation all around.”
They are among the growing number of Americans who, driven by higher living costs and a falling economy, have taken up vegetable gardening for the first time. Others have increased the size of their existing gardens. Seed companies and garden shops say that not since the 1970s has there been such an increase in interest in growing food at home. Now many gardens across the country have been sold out for several months. In Austin, some of the gardens have a three-year waiting list.
George C. Ball Jr., owner of a company, said sales of vegetable seeds and plants are up by 40% over last year, double the average growth of the last five years. Mr. Ball argues that some of the reasons have been building for the last few years. The big one is the striking rise in the cost of food like bread and milk, together with the increases in the price of fruits and vegetables. Food prices have increased because of higher oil price. People are now driving less, taking fewer vacations, so there more time to garden.
1. What does the word “residents” in Paragraph 1 probably refer to?| A．Chickens. | B．Tomatoes. | C．Gardens. | D．People. |
| A．she is happier and her garden bigger. |
| B．she may spend less and lose weight. |
| C．she is selling more and buying less |
| D．she has grown more varieties of vegetables |
| A．More Americans are doing it for fun. | B．The price of oil is lower than before. |
| C．There’s growing need for fruits. | D．The cost of living is on the rise. |
| A．Family Food Planning | B．Banking on Gardening |
| C．A Belt-tightening Move | D．Gardening as a Hobby |
2 . What comes to mind when you think about chocolate? A candy bar at Halloween? Ice cream on a hot day?
For Ibrahim, a 12-year-old boy from the West African country of Ghana, chocolate is not about sweet treats; it is about bitter work.
To change the harmful practices like this, some farms use an approach called Fairtrade.
Consumers like you can play a role as well. You can buy Fairtrade chocolate if possible, pressure candy companies to change their labour practices, or ask local stores to sell Fairtrade products.
Chocolate has a hidden story that affects children like Ibrahim—children who want a happy future just like you do.
| A．You have the power to change the story. |
| B．The labels on chocolate do not tell his story. |
| C．Fairtrade is a way of doing business that prohibits child labour. |
| D．You can also take action through the Fairtrade Schools network. |
| E．On many farms, children like Ibrahim perform difficult farming tasks. |
| F．Cocoa trees grow in the tropical climates of Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia. |
| G．With more income, farmers can pay adult workers and can send their children to school. |
3 . I am neither Jewish nor Palestinian, and none of my six regular jobs have anything to do with foreign policy, but the other day I opened Twitter (now called X) after some time offline, only to find people I don’t know demanding that I make a public statement about what’s happening in the Middle East. It seemed that most of the people on social media had made a statement, including various well-known brands, celebrities and lifestyle influencers.
I saw lots of random citizens being told that if they didn’t speak out, they, too, would have blood on their hands. Taking a stand on social media instantly will win wild applause but reduces complex issues to a simple yes or no.
Those social media posts without serious thinking are not what bother me most, though. Instead, it’s the idea that not posting is wrong — that everyone needs to speak, all the time. It discourages shutting up and listening and letting the voices that matter the most be heard over the noise. It implies it’s not OK to have any uncertainty about what’s going on. It does not leave time or space for people to process disturbing events in their own minds or to gather more information before pronouncing a judgment. It pressures people who don’t have an opinion yet or are working out what they think to produce one opinion immediately and present it to an audience of total strangers on the Internet who will quickly judge whether it’s appropriate or not.
“Nothing pays off like self-control of tongue and pen,” writes A.A.’s co-founder Bill Wilson. “We must avoid quick-tempered criticism and extreme anger,” which he calls “emotional idiot got trapped by pride and revenge.” While I’ve regretted posting half-formed thoughts too quickly, I’ve never regretted waiting until I was less angry or not posting at all.
1. Why does the author mention his/her race and jobs in the first paragraph?| A．To reflect the author’s professional research background. |
| B．To introduce the topic of the widespread use of social media. |
| C．To discuss the impact of social media violating personal privacy. |
| D．To express dissatisfaction with commenting on something without personal ties. |
| A．Pressure to take a stand. |
| B．Shutting up and listening. |
| C．Lack of diversity in opinions. |
| D．Complex issues reduced to yes or no. |
| A．Avoiding creating argument is a virtue. |
| B．Quick-tempered criticism is rewarding. |
| C．Producing immediate opinion is an ability. |
| D．Control of what you say and write is beneficial. |
| A．“Speak Out for the Disadvantages in a Social Media Age” |
| B．“I Don’t Have To Post About My Anger, Neither Do You” |
| C．“Silence Is Golden: A Guide to Ignoring World Issues Like a Pro” |
| D．“Keep Angry, Keep Reasonable: Avoiding the Mess on Social Media” |
4 . Microplastics, as the name implies, are tiny plastic particles found in the environment. Any plastic particle that has a diameter of less than 5 mm is considered to be microplastic. For a long time, a majority of people were unaware of the presence of microplastics and their effects on the environment. However, these particles have become a significant topic of debate in recent times after researchers noted their presence in almost every corner of the globe. from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench.
There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are tiny particles meant for external commercial use such as cosmetics, as well as microfibers to make other textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles.
There are various sources of microplastics. Wastewater treatment plants and sewage treatment plants are the major sources of primary microplastics, most of which are residues (残留物) of cosmetics, paint, household and industrial waste. Single-use plastics plastic items meant to be used just once and then discarded, such as a straw — are the main source of secondary plastics in the environment.
The problem with microplastics is that like plastic items of any size they do not readily break down into harmless molecules. Plastics can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose (降解). That means once produced, we cannot get rid of them. Microplastics exist on beaches and deeper waters, and have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water. They are mistaken for food by marine animals and some plastics are so tiny that they end up in the animal tissues. They are passed across the food chain, and some find their way to humans.
Scientists are still unsure whether consumed microplastics are harmful to human or animal health and if so, what specific dangers they may pose. Even so, many countries are taking action to reduce microplastics in the environment. The best approaches to controlling microplastics include proper handling of plastics and thorough treatment of wastewater.
1. According to the first two paragraphs, microplastics are_________| A．common in our daily life |
| B．used to make glass bottles |
| C．found in all the uninhabited areas |
| D．tiny plastic particles with a diameter of 5mm |
| A．The use of straws should be forbidden. |
| B．Household waste contains microplastics. |
| C．Industrial waste is a source of secondary plastics |
| D．Wastewater and sewage treatment plants are useless. |
| A．Because they’re consumed as food. |
| B．Because they exist on the beaches. |
| C．Because they easily break down. |
| D．Because they’re left out in the food chain. |
| A．To analyze the sources of microplastics. |
| B．To warn people of the danger of microplastics. |
| C．To give an overall introduction to microplastics. |
| D．To persuade people to give up the use of microplastics. |
5 . The Four Worst Car-Buying Mistakes
Here’s your crash course on what to keep in mind so you don’t end up paying more than you should for a new or used vehicle.
Mistake 1: Skipping the mechanical check
All new cars generally have to pass an inspection before they leave the lot.
Mistake 2:
Car dealerships have been known to throw a bunch of extras onto a purchase once you’re signing papers. You can decline any of these items if they aren’t yet installed. And remember, don’t give money for a test drive, ever.
Mistake 3: Skipping the things that do make sense to buy
The one thing worth buying from the dealership is brake replacement, which ensures your brakes are working properly. Whether you want to buy common add-ons such as roof racks and winter tires is a matter of personal preference.
Mistake 4: Regretting after signing the contract immediately
Green hands are likely to make these “big mistakes” when buying their first car.
| A．It happens |
| B．Paying for things you don’t need |
| C．Giving money for a test drive |
| D．You are no exception |
| E．If you don’t have a lot of peace of mind about that when buying new |
| F．There is an extra payment added for getting them, but it might be worth it |
| G．If you are on a tight budget for the moment and consider purchasing a used car |
6 . These days many students like to make friends on line. Most of them think it's interesting to know an unknown person through the Internet. So, many students like to use computers to talk with those friends. And they spend too much time on it. Some of them can not do well in their school work. Their parents often don’t think the children are as good as before. So many teachers and parents are worried about their children.
In fact, only very few of them can get real good friends in this way. Most of them were cheated by those unseen friends. And some of the students did wrong things on line. It’s terrible for students to use too much time to make friends and talk on line. So we should be careful of making friends on line and should not spend too much time on it. We’d better pay more attention to study. We will be happy when we do well in school and at home.
1. Many students like to make friends on line because .| A．they are interested in it | B．they can learn better in this way |
| C．they always get real friends in this way | D．they are friendly to each other |
| A．anxious | B．confident | C．careful | D．excited |
| A．All | B．Many | C．Some | D．Few |
| A．聊天 | B．欺骗 | C．恩惠 | D．鞭打 |
| A．We should never make friends on line. |
| B．It’s necessary for us to talk with our online friends every day. |
| C．It’s really happy that we students do well in school and at home. |
| D．Making online friends is more important than study. |
7 . “Don’t be a victim.” That’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot if you take a crime-prevention class. Basically, it means that there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that you’ll be mugged, assaulted, or otherwise attacked. Don’t wave your cash around like you’re a billionaire. Don’t be distracted on the subway. Walk with a purpose.
That last one is particularly important, because according to a new study from the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, some criminals are very good at sensing weakness based on the way you walk. Actually, serial killer Ted Bundy admitted in a personal interview in 1985 that “he could tell a victim by the way she walked down the street, the tilt of her head, the manner in which she carried herself, etc…” Unfortunately, research demonstrated the reality that criminals do in fact look for, or at least notice certain characters when selecting potential victims. While nothing excuses crime, knowledge is power in the sense that there are things we can do to protect ourselves when we are out alone.
In the report titled “Psychopathy and Victim Selection” the researchers surveyed 47 criminals at a maximum-security prison in Ontario and found that social predators are very good at picking victims based on their posture and gait(步伐). They noted that people might be releasing vulnerability to criminals through their postures, gestures, and exaggerated movements.
The researchers secretly filmed 12 people walking — eight women and four men, some of whom had been attacked before. Then, they showed the video to a group of criminals and asked them whether or not each person would make a good victim. These “victim ratings” were then compared against each person’s actual history of victimization. Sure enough, the people whom the criminals picked as “likely victims” were usually the ones who had been victimized in the past. These people were often said to have “walked like an easy target” — slowly, unfocused, with short steps.
The sample size here is really small. Maybe we shouldn’t give this study’s findings too much weight. Nevertheless, it emphasizes something that seems pretty unconscious. Criminals aren’t looking for a challenge. Rather, they want someone timid and inattentive. So stride down the street like you own it. Your new, aggressive gait may scare off criminals. And even if this study turns out to be total bullshit, you’ll still get where you’re going a lot faster.
1. Why does the author mention the serial killer Ted Bundy?| A．To call on more people to learn psychology. |
| B．To prove that someone can be a natural criminal. |
| C．To demonstrate some skills to distinguish criminals. |
| D．To emphasize the importance of the right walking habit. |
| A．By analyzing crime data in various neighborhoods. |
| B．By filming people walking and getting criminals’ opinions. |
| C．By filming criminals as they selected their potential victims. |
| D．By studying the psychology of crime victims in a maximum-security prison. |
| A．Distracted walking with short steps. |
| B．Purposeful walking with slow steps. |
| C．Walking with a group of people cheerfully. |
| D．Walking with confident and exaggerated movements. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Disapproving. | D．Indifferent. |
8 . A new report released Tuesday by Pethadoop, a platform specializing in China’s pet industry, said cats accounted for 59.5% of all the pets among the 30,000 respondents surveyed for the research. As of last year, there were some 58 million pet cats in China’s urban households, compared with some 54 million pet dogs.
It also shows that China has seen an increase in pet ownership over the years, with people increasingly choosing cats. Globally, though dogs were still more common pets, including the United States and the United Kingdom, cats have emerged as the most popular pet in the European Union lately.
Cats have also turned into a social phenomenon in China and elsewhere, becoming the subject of viral memes (模因；迷因) and videos. Many cat lovers online also identify themselves as “cat slaves” and “cat sniffers,” publicly professing their pet preference.
Researchers attributed (归因) the fast growth of cat pets to the lifestyle in Chinese cities, with some experts also suggesting the feline’s popularity with the young generation’s pursuit of individuality:
Liu Yi, the report’s chief editor, said that many citizens have busy lives and relatively smaller accommodations, thus making cats their ideal companions-it’s easy to raise cats, unlike dogs that require more attention and outdoor activities.
“Our research shows that the majority of the pet owners are people born after 1990 and 1995,” he said. “Young people are looking for freedom and spontaneity (自然；随意) in their lives. and the habits of cats are more suited to their needs.”
Cai, a 27-year-old who works in Beijing, said she recently adopted a cat named Nanako. She added that cats were the perfect pet for “da gong ren”, which means “laborer” or “hard working people.” “I wanted a dog at first, but since I’m quite busy, I wouldn’t have given them enough time,” she said. “Cats are more independent compared with dogs. Nanako has kept me company through my loneliness, which someone like me who works in a big city faces.”
1. What is the current situation of pet industry in China?| A．Cats account for 59.5% of the whole pet population. |
| B．The dog population in China is 4 million short of that of cats. |
| C．An increasing number of people turn to keeping cats as their pets. |
| D．There’re about 58 million pet cats in China’s suburban households. |
| A．Loyalty. | B．Independence. | C．Diligence. | D．Playfulness. |
| A．The addiction of the cat slaves. |
| B．The present situation of urban lifestyle. |
| C．The individualism of the Chinese people. |
| D．The independence of the young generation. |
| A．Positive. | B．Disapproving. | C．Indifferent. | D．Neutral. |
9 . For many of us, our closest meeting with wild animals is at a zoo. These places allow us to observe the behaviours and characteristics of amazing creatures. It’s an enjoyable and educational experience for us, but is it the best environment for the animals? A long time ago, people could only see wild animals as stuffed dead exhibits in a museum. Later, live animals were caught by explorers, brought home and put on show to the public in zoos — animal protection was not a priority. But modern zoos and wildlife parks have transformed the conditions and environments for animals, making bigger enclosures (围场), removing bars, and, to some extent, copying their natural habitats.
Some people have questioned the cruelty of keeping animals and using them just for entertainment, but zoos are keen to show they are here to help wildlife by educating us about protection. In the UK, the introduction of The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 also required zoos to educate the public. Well-managed zoos are now also involved in supporting and funding protection programmes.
Probably the biggest claim from zoos today is that they help to protect species that are under threat in the wild due to climate change. Robert Young, Chair in Wildlife Protection at Salford University says: “We wouldn’t have a lot of different species today if it wasn’t for zoos.” Some zoos have breeding (繁殖) programmes which help to preserve the future of species. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently praised Chester Zoo in the UK for its protection work. It brought a rare fish species back from the dead after breeding and releasing a school of golden fish back into their native river.
While the debate about having zoos continues, new opportunities to meet wildlife are being explored, such as using virtual reality, and Jon Coe, a zoo designer, told the BBC: “Taking a walk through a group of elephants in the Serengeti, I think, is going to be possible pretty soon.”
1. What can be inferred from paragraph one?| A．The conditions for animals are improving. |
| B．People used to kill animals for entertainment. |
| C．Museums have led to the popularity of wildlife. |
| D．Animal protection has always been the biggest concern. |
| A．prove it is cruel to keep animals in zoos |
| B．show zoos are making efforts to protect wildlife |
| C．question whether it is useful to educate the public |
| D．express not all the zoos are well managed |
| A．Because of little resources. | B．Because of heavy pollution. |
| C．Because of climate change. | D．Because of illegal hunting. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Worried. | C．Unknown. | D．Hopeful. |
10 . As you read this, pause to reflect on your recent interactions. As a politician, husband, and father, I encounter various spoken language styles: analytical or chatty, formal or informal, pointed or gentle, cooperative or decisive. Talk is the currency of politics. It is our way of negotiating, debating, and persuading. Talk is also the currency of learning-how we develop our ideas, deepen our thinking and share our feelings.
That’s why I want speaking skills, sometimes called “oracy”, to play an important part in Labor’s plans for a reformed school curriculum (课程).
Employers value speaking skills equally with reading and writing. The ability to speak well and express yourself should be something every child should master. But the curriculum doesn’t allow us to provide this. This is short-sighted. An inability to express your thoughts fluently is a key barrier to getting on and doing well in life.
Oracy is in part about good public speaking and debating skills, but in reality, it’s about teaching young people to make strong arguments, choose wise words, understand their audience, form meaningful social connections, and use facial expressions and body language to convey their message. Above all else it’s about finding your voice. To work out who you are and what you believe. If reading opens up a world of imagination and possibility, then speaking and listening opens up a lifetime of empowerment-a chance for those who feel invisible in their own country to be heard. It is about the confidence to speak out, to call out injustice or harm.
And the other side of speaking is listening, which can also be taught. Listening, truly listening, develops tolerance and understanding. And as parents we can play our part. We’ve all been there, at mealtimes, silent as we all stare at our devices. Our job, all of ours, is to get off our screens and give young people, and adults, the gift of listening.
So, oracy―speaking and listening―needs to be placed firmly at the heart of school life.
1. How does talk help a politician?| A．It deepens his wishful thinking. |
| B．It enhances his analytical skills. |
| C．It strengthens persuasive power. |
| D．It provides emotional support. |
| A．Employers underestimate the value of speaking. |
| B．Academic pressure makes students poor-sighted. |
| C．Spoken language is regarded as least important. |
| D．Oracy should deserve more attention at school. |
| A．By sharing different opinions. |
| B．By clarifying the definition. |
| C．By describing personal experiences. |
| D．By employing the concept. |
| A．Set a good example for their children. |
| B．Balance screen time and mealtime. |
| C．Have oral face-to-face communication. |
| D．Disconnect from the virtual world. |
